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Some of the best figure skaters in the world are in town for Skate America. The international competition is going on at the Rose Garden. Click below to view KGW’s story on 2010 Skate America in Portland.

Top figure skaters from around the globe are arriving this week in Portland for 2010 Skate America Friday through Sunday at the Rose Garden. Medalists from three of the four disciplines at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games will compete in ladies’, men’s, pairs and ice dancing events. Skaters include U.S. ladies’ champion Rachael Flatt, American ice dancers Meryl Davis and Charlie White, who captured the silver in Vancouver, two-time World pairs champions and Olympic bronze medalists Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany, and reigning World champion and Olympic bronze medalist Daisuke Takahashi of Japan.

Tickets start at just $20. Get your tickets now to see many of the world’s best figure skaters compete in 2010 Skate America at the Rose Garden!

The Oregon Sports Authority Foundation announced today it will begin accepting applications for its next Healthy Youth Initiative grant. The grant will award $10,000 toward a project that will engage student participation to support at least one of the following goals: increased physical activity/education in school; after school sports opportunities; and/or increased opportunities for youth to safely walk or bike to school. The grant can be used to help launch an idea or develop an existing project or program.

Eligible applicants for the Healthy Youth Initiative include student bodies, school districts, schools, PTAs, park bureaus, cities, and other organizations in Multnomah County. For more information and to learn how to apply, visit the Foundation’s web site at oregonsports.org/foundation. Applications are due by January 15 and a winner will be selected soon after. The grant is intended to be used during the spring of this school year, and fall of next year, with the option to maintain the project through the summer months.

The first Healthy Youth Initiative grant was awarded in September to Franklin High School, and is now funding a new intramural sports program. The grant was awarded following a survey that showed more than 300 Franklin students have a strong interest in participating in intramural sports programs.

“In addition to the physical benefits, the grant will provide an opportunity for a diverse group of students to participate together in a variety of after school sports and health activities,” said Scott Santangelo, athletic director at Franklin.

The intramural program is free to students and the $10,000 received is helping to purchase sports equipment, as well as provide instructors, incentives and prizes.

“There are plenty of kids who would like to participate in sports, but do not try out for a school sports team for a variety reasons. These are the students this grant is able to serve,” said Oregon Sports Authority CEO, Drew Mahalic.

Founded in 1993, the Oregon Sports Authority Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides grants and conducts programs to support youth sports activities with an emphasis on both underserved youth and increased physical activity. The Healthy Youth Initiative is a Foundation project with a focus on youth, initially within Multnomah County. If the project continues to be successful, future grants will be expanded to youth statewide.

The Oregon Sports Authority Foundation has raised more than $500,000 for youth sports causes throughout Oregon. The Healthy Youth Initiative kicks off the latest round of grants following a brief, recession-induced hiatus. Previous funding has included sports participation fees, successful drives to save PIL spring sports programs in 2003 and PIL golf, tennis and dance in subsequent years, and funds for sports equipment and facility needs of deserving youth. The Foundation has also served as a driving force in the coalition that passed legislation to establish a minimum amount of participation in physical education for Oregon’s public schools, helping to address the trend of childhood obesity among youth throughout the state. In addition, more than 15,000 deserving youth have attended Portland Trail Blazers’ and Winterhawks’ games through the Foundation’s Reward Youth Ticket Exchange program.

Oregon Sports Authority Foundation Mission To facilitate increased physical activity among Oregon’s youth through sports, physical education, and related programs with an emphasis on opportunities for underserved youth through advocacy, financial support, and program creation.

Oregon Sports Authority | Sports Commission of the Year 2010 Recently named “Sports Commission of the Year” by the National Association of Sports Commissions, the mission of the Oregon Sports Authority is to position the state of Oregon as the preferred location for select amateur and professional sports events, franchises and related activities in order to enhance the quality of life of Oregonians and to stimulate the state’s economy. Visit oregonsports.org/ for additional information.

High school team sports attract media attention. But, relatively few students can participate in these activities.

Recognizing this, the administrative staff at Franklin High School, concerned that many kids weren’t getting the opportunity to stay active, applied for a grant to fund after-school activities. That application paid off on October 1, when executives from Oregon Sports Authority presented check for $10,000 to help fund intramural sports at the school.

“We applied for the ‘Healthy Youth Initiative’ program,” explained Steve Matthews, the school’s Business Manager, who wrote the grant. “Many kids don’t participate in competitive sports; this gives these kids the experience to stay active.”

With the help of P.E. teachers and the school’s Athletic Director, Scott Santangelo, administrators conducted a survey at the end of the last school year to determine students’ interests. “The results were kind of surprising,” Matthews said, as he read off the list of activities — in order of popularity, as voted by the students:

• Yoga

• Badminton

• Bicycling

• Aerobic exercises

• Dance

• Table tennis

“Interestingly enough, we do have a certified yoga teacher here at Franklin,” Matthews said.

At the October 1 Pep Assembly, the Franklin High Auditorium was filled with students on hand to witness the presentation of the symbolic check.

“We asked high schools to make requests for how they would use the money,” Oregon Sports Authority Foundation President Larry Remmers said. “Of the 25 proposals that were received, I’m honored to say that Franklin High School had by far the finest proposal. You’ve won a $10,000 award to help your programs.”

After nearly a minute of student cheering subsided, Oregon Sports Authority CEO Drew Mahalic exclaimed, “We’re proud to present this check to Franklin High School for its Healthy Youth Initiative program. We believe this will be the beginning of a great program here at the school today.”

After receiving the check, Franklin’s Principal Shay James told THE BEE, “It’s wonderful to have partnerships with community members and businesspeople who step up — as in this case — so students will more opportunities to be healthy and active.”

Athletic Director Santangelo added, “In addition to the physical benefits, the grant will provide an opportunity for a diverse group of students to participate together in a variety of after school sports and health activities.”